|
|
Population: Approx. 19,500,000
As a multi-cultural nation we have people whose origins are representative of more nations than any other country in the world. The majority live in the Capital Cities, especially Sydney and Melbourne.
The Sister's of Our Lady of the Missions first arrived in Australia in 1897, the first foundation being in Highgate, Perth, Western Australia.
At present there are 28 sisters in Western Australia, 13 in Victoria and three working in missions overseas.
The location of our communities in Australia, including a number for retired Sisters, comprise 13 in Western Australia and 10 in Victoria. In Western Australia there are ten in Perth suburbs, one in the south west and two in the Kimberley Region; there are ten in the suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.
Photo: The 2005
Leadership Team : L – R
Catherine Brabender, Frances Wilson, Mary Goretty Vu thi Kim-Dung
APOSTOLATES(WORKS)
INVOLVED IN:
House of Prayer
Retreats, Spiritual Direction and Counselling
Facilitation and consultancy
Work with indigenous people
Work with Vietnamese immigrants and prisoners
Parish and Pastoral Assistants
Instruction for people interested in the Catholic Religion
Teaching (primary, tertiary and music)
Teaching religion in Government Schools
Pastoral care for the aged
Province Administration
| Sr. Mary Evans and this group of local women meet every week to pray for the needs of the parish and of the world | The RCIA programme (Rite of Initiation of Adults) helps adults look at the Catholic faith before deciding whether or not they would like to join. Pictured between the two Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions is one of our present enquirers. Last year three women chose to become Catholics after following the RCIA programme. |
Sacred Heart Girl’s College, Oakleigh: http://www.shgcoak.melb.catholic.edu.au
The Principal, Mrs Josephine Gray, and her staff – at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Oakleigh, Melbourne - are committed to maintaining their connections with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.
Over recent years, with no Sisters on the college staff, and their 50th anniversary of foundation coming along in February 2007, Mrs Gray has been doing a lot of personal research and she has had installed the Sisters’ logo on the school building, and has had a new building named Euphrasie Barbier building, in which a commemorative sculpture has been incorporated.
The Past Pupils Association has renewed its activity. And the present pupils are eager participants in their annual walkathon to raise funds for the works of the Sisters in mission countries throughout the world.
Present at the unveiling L-R: Sister Kim Phung Pham [CLT member], Sister Mary Goretti Vu, Sister Catherine Brabender [Provincial], Filip Toth [artist] , St Teresa Parish [former Principal], Mrs Josephine Gray [Principal].
The symbolic sculpture prepared by Filip Toth, art teacher at SHGC Oakleigh, for the new music and science building which has been dedicated to Euphrasie Barbier, Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.
The sculpture incorporates images which suggest music and science, the young women who will be using the building, and the fire of the Trinity which was the inspiration for the missionary drive of Euphrasie Barbier.
Sister Marie Benedicte Ollivier [former Superior
General of
the Sisters] at the unveiling of the memorial plaque of the new Euphrasie
Barbier building.
| The seed of the idea for this Art Exhibition germinated and grew out of
the Province Assembly in April 2001, when we were asked: “What practical
steps can we take to promote the RNDM spirit in our apostolates?” It was
suggested at the time that this could promote our RNDM Euphrasie Barbier
image to a wider group of people. As the idea continued to grow it was seen to have a threefold purpose: firstly a project in which all our sisters regardless of their age or stage of life could participate; secondly, an opportunity to affirm the giftedness of the sisters and thirdly, as a fundraiser for the Congregation International Mission Fund – Millennium Fund. |
Sr. M.Ethnea (96 yrs old) displays her
French stamps |
Helena Brabender was the driving force behind this Exhibition as
she had experience in planning many art exhibitions in Broome. Mary Evans was
responsible for preparing the register of works and catalogue.
 |
Sister Kim Phung, member of our Congregational Leadership Team officially
launched the Exhibition and said: “The theme of our Exhibition has been around the Life and Work of
Euphrasie, our Foundress, a woman whose heart was fired for mission. Following in her steps, the pioneering RNDM’s enthused by the missionary call, committed themselves to the coming of the reign of God in this |
land, the land of the Holy Spirit.
Besides their
Today, all the art works you see around you have been realised in the
same spirit, with the same passion and love for mission, for supporting those in
greater need beyond this blessed land. …”
| All who attended the Exhibition were surrounded by a fantastic display of
exquisite works of art and craft of which we were all so very proud. The many guests including, family, relatives, associates and friends of
the sisters were in awe of the tremendous giftedness of the sisters of our
Province! |
 |
 |
Business was brisk and highly organised sales representatives were happy
to take money in exchange for some treasured piece.
Over $3,000.00 was raised from the sales on the Sunday afternoon and as
mentioned these proceeds are for the |
We thank particularly all the sisters in the Province for their
wholehearted support and contribution to this event, they made it possible to
bring this dream of Euphrasie
Barbier Art & Craft Exhibition to fruition.
Salt and Light
(Reflection by Sister Shelley Barlow
on her fund-raising efforts for the Solidarity and Millennium Funds)
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its taste …
You are the light of the world … let your light shine
Recently I worked with five married couples who were celebrating ten years of friendship born out of their parish RCIA (RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Now they were taking time out to reflect on their journey and ask, "Where do we go from here? How can we further share this amazing gift that has bonded us as a group of friends?"
Jesus’ words about salt and light were chosen as their focus. What did he mean by calling them the salt of the earth? With palpable joy they came to see the capacity of salt to give flavour, taste, to ensure balance and buoyancy. And what did Jesus intend by calling them the light of the world? They felt drawn by the words of the second verse of the song, To See the Light , by Australian composer Peter Kearney*.
Gradually the group found themselves inspired to take their friendship to a new and deeper level by giving material support to a worthy cause. They said, "Let’s take on a mission … do something practical to improve the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves." The next question was "What exactly will we do? How will go about this?" Examples of projects began to surface.
So I invited them to consider our solidarity projects and millennium fund, our RNDM dream to break the cycle of poverty, to raise the dignity of disadvantaged women and children in our missions.
As to the end of this story, we’ll have to leave it to the Spirit! And all the while we RNDMs are growing in our own calling to be the salt of the earth … the light of our world!
* To See the Light Verse 2, "Peter Kearney’s Songs", Crossover Music Sydney, Australia, 1966 - 1986.
Sr. Shelley & Madeleine Barlow
Other
Millennium fund Raising Efforts
(Also by Sister Shelley)
Other ways I have tried to build up the Millennium Fund include targeting big firms, like the car dealer’s company from whom we usually buy our cars. This company actually seems grateful for the opportunity to give of its profits!
The Principals of our former secondary schools worked hard with us to help students stretch their imaginations beyond Australia’s shores and nurture a heart for the world through fundraising for the Millennium Fund. The idea of helping educate and train others seemed to grip the imagination of the youth. "Sacred Heart Day" in both colleges saw walkathons and fun activities bringing in huge sums, testifying to the ever increasing generosity of the youth, especially when they have become convinced of the cause.
It seems to me that, in the midst of our own fundraising, we are somehow caught up in a world-wide movement of the Holy Spirit to love others beyond borders, to share resources, and ultimately to enjoy life to the full as Jesus desired for all. My own question is "How, to what extent and in what way can I foster this kind of practical love and empower people to build up our missions funds?"
In the end, it’s a matter of being alert to those situations where the likelihood of giving manifests itself, and capitalizing on those moments. Then work with the Spirit that the impulse gets set in motion! Though our circumstances differ, the salt and light story above belongs to all of us, don’t you think?
For more information on how to support ourSr Shelley Barlow
shelleymb@bigmail.com
Busselton/Dunsborough the fastest growing place in Australia, situated in the South West of Western Australia, throws up many challenges to those involved in any kind of faith formation or pastoral ministry. Two programmes ran consecutively throughout the past year: :The Catholic Story" and the "RCIA" Journey in Faith.
Programmes like these have a "snowballing" effect, consequently 12 more people have just begun the next RCIA journey, committing themselves to weekly sharing and discussions on the Gospel for the next 6-7 months.
With new young families coming into these areas, faith can very much be a second or third priority with business and entrepeneurial initiatives taking first precedence. However, with the efforts of those on our Parish Team working with families and supporting our two primary and one secondary Catholic schools we are seeing a real yearning to be "involed" to "belong" to our Catholic Faith Communty. This step so often starts when young families ask for Baptism. This is one of the most rewarding times when we visit, sit with, encourage and support our young parents as to what Baptism means for their child and to help them understand their responsibility as parents. From 140 children in our primary school ten years ago we now have 1500 children in our three Catholic schools. Just think of the pastoral needs of such a mushrooming country parish? "The harvest is great - the labourers are few."
Parish Council Meeting
Play Group
Derby
is a tropical town in the north-west of
High Tide
Low Tide
A popular
attraction for the many tourists who visit each year is the Boab tree, native to
the area. One, the infamous ‘Prison Boab Tree’ is situated just outside of the
town of
Two Sisters of
Our Lady of the Missions work in
As well, they use their free time and
craft skills to make goods which they sell at a stall at the local Saturday
market, part of a fund-raising effort to help our missions in developing
countries. Among the things they make are cards, soap, skin lotion, hand cream
and crocheted goods. They are seen
here making cards on one of their
free afternoons.
The Saturday
market:
Sale items include a ten minute shoulder relaxation massage.
For further Apostolic Involvement see the following Solidarity Newsletters: Fundraising for the future - 03/02.
ASSOCIATES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We have about 200 Associates. During the past year we have been encouraging new members. We have a core group and have at least two gatheringseach year. A few of our Associates are in Papua New Guinea. We have one special yearly publication and some lesser ones. In the past volunteers have been with our Sisters in Ethiopia, Senegal and Papua New Guinea. Some help with various projects as they arise.
For more info on being an
Associate or Volunteer: In West Australia:
Sr. Maureen Belleville or Sr. Margaret Mary Crock
Provincial Office, 79 Seventh Avenue
Maylands, W.A. 6051
In Victoria Contact:
Sr. L. Brown or Sr. C. Brabender
PO Box 4037
Balwyn East, Vic 3129
VOCATIONS
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Sr. Patricia Keogh
Provincial Office, 79 Seventh Ave.
Maylands, Western Australia 6051
ARCHIVES
Sr.
Patricia Hogan
Provincial Office
79 Seventh Ave.
Maylands Western Australia 6051
patricia@internetexpress.com.au
